Best Tube Guitar Heads Under $500 2025

Affordable tube guitar heads under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Blues For Classic Rock For Jazz For Vintage Tones For Professional Gigs For Studio Recording

BRANDS: Engl Marshall Hughes&Kettner Mesa Boogie Victory Amplifiers Friedman Evh Orange Harley Benton Soldano PRS Diezel Bugera Bad Cat Revv Peavey

Blackstar HT-1RH Head MKIII - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Blackstar HT-1RH Head MKIII

by Blackstar

Vintage Tones Studio Recording Blues

Key Feature:

• Professional sound quality

✓ PROS

• Natural compression and warmth
• Authentic tube saturation

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other options
• Requires tube maintenance

Blackstar HT-1RH Head MKIIITube Head AmplifierTwo channels: Clean and OverdrivePower: 1 wattPreamp tube: 1 x ECC83Power...

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 589933

$406

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bugera G20 Infinium Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Bugera G20 Infinium Head

by Bugera

Vintage Tones Blues Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage tone

✓ PROS

• Natural compression and warmth
• Classic vintage tone

✗ CONS

• More expensive than solid-state
• Heavier than other options

Bugera G20 Infinium HeadAll-Tube Electric Guitar Amp HeadPower: 20 Watt2 ChannelsPreamp tubes: 2x ECC83Power Tubes: 2x...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 368181

$383

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Mighty-5TH Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Mighty-5TH Bundle

by Harley Benton

Jazz Classic Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Dynamic playing response

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Classic vintage tone

✗ CONS

• Requires tube maintenance
• Heat generation during use

Harley Benton Mighty-5TH Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton G112Plus Creamback*Speaker Cabinet for Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 560153

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton TUBE30 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton TUBE30 Head

by Harley Benton

Studio Recording Jazz Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Professional sound quality

✓ PROS

• Authentic tube saturation
• Dynamic playing response

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other options
• Heat generation during use

Harley Benton TUBE30 HeadTube Head for Electric GuitarClass AB2 ChannelsPower: 30 wattsPreamp tubes: 3 x...

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 552998

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marshall DSL20HR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Marshall DSL20HR

by Marshall

Studio Recording Jazz Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Natural compression and warmth

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Dynamic playing response

✗ CONS

• Requires tube maintenance
• More expensive than solid-state

Marshall DSL20HRAll-Tube Amp Head for Electric GuitarReissue series - authentic DSL soundPower: 20W2 Footswitchable...

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 422015

$483

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton TUBE15 Head Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton TUBE15 Head Bundle

by Harley Benton

Jazz Studio Recording Blues

Key Feature:

• Authentic tube saturation

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage tone
• Natural compression and warmth

✗ CONS

• Heat generation during use
• More expensive than solid-state

Harley Benton TUBE15 Head Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton TUBE15 Head*Tube Amplifier for Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 579201

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bugera V22HD Infinium - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Bugera V22HD Infinium

by Bugera

Professional Gigs Classic Rock Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Dynamic playing response

✓ PROS

• Natural compression and warmth
• Dynamic playing response

✗ CONS

• Requires tube maintenance
• Needs separate speaker cabinet

Bugera V22HD InfiniumAll-Tube Guitar Amp HeadPower: 22 W2 ChannelsPreamp tubes: 3 X 12AX7Power amp tubes: 2 X EL 841...

⭐ 4.6/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 338609

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bugera V55HD Infinium - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Bugera V55HD Infinium

by Bugera

Classic Rock Jazz Professional Gigs

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage tone

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage tone
• Dynamic playing response

✗ CONS

• More expensive than solid-state
• Heat generation during use

Bugera V55HD InfiniumAll-Tube Guitar Amp HeadPower: 55 W3 Pre-stage tubes 12AX72 Power amplifiers 6L62 Channels3-Band...

⭐ 4.5/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 341357

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton TUBE15 & G112 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton TUBE15 & G112

by Harley Benton

Blues Studio Recording Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage tone

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Dynamic playing response

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other options
• More expensive than solid-state

Harley Benton TUBE15 & G112*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton TUBE15 Head*Tube Amplifier for Electric...

⭐ 5.0/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 581196

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Tube Guitar Heads

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced tube guitar heads typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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TOP

Best Tube Guitar Heads Under $500 2025

Blackstar HT-1RH Head MKIII

Bugera G20 Infinium Head

Harley Benton Mighty-5TH Bundle

Harley Benton TUBE30 Head

Marshall DSL20HR

Harley Benton TUBE15 Head Bundle

Bugera V22HD Infinium

Bugera V55HD Infinium

Harley Benton TUBE15 & G112

How to Choose the Best Tube Guitar Heads

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying tube guitar heads?

How much should I spend on tube guitar heads?

Are expensive tube guitar heads worth the investment?

What are the best brands for tube guitar heads?

Should I buy tube guitar heads online or in-store?

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